a worrying circularity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worrying circularity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or argument that is self-referential and raises concern or anxiety due to its repetitive nature. Example: "The report highlights a worrying circularity in the reasoning, where the conclusions merely restate the initial assumptions without providing new insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is, indeed, a worrying circularity in the response to Mr Greenspan's speech.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On the other hand, there is a certain rather worrying circularity to it: monogamous heterosexual marriage is the best way to transmit the habits that make monogamous heterosexual marriage possible, which is clearly necessary because monogamous heterosexual marriage is what we know.

The Guardian - Opinion

One stumbling block for functionalist theories is a worry about epistemic circularity.

SEP

Further, Russell was worried about circularity in definitions of sets (which he believed to be the cause of the paradoxes) to the extent that he did not permit a set of a given type to be defined by a condition which involved quantification over the same type or a higher type.

SEP

It's a bit worrying.

BMC Family Practice

Circularity is probably not a worry.

SEP

And we should lastly note that there seems to be an obvious circularity worry for contract theorists in their attempts to explain promissory obligation since a contract (or agreement, or pact, or covenant, etc).

SEP

Crime is a worry.

The Economist

Always a worry.

Independent

It is a worry.

The Economist

That's simply not a worry anymore.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a worrying circularity", ensure that you clearly articulate the specific nature of the circular reasoning and why it is problematic in the given context. Avoid vague statements and provide concrete examples to illustrate the issue.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as "a worrying circularity" without explaining why it's a circularity and what the negative consequences are. Provide sufficient context and details to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worrying circularity" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a problematic characteristic or flaw within an argument, system, or process. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase often describes situations in economics, philosophy, or general commentary where reasoning loops back on itself without resolution.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a worrying circularity" is a phrase used to describe a concerning self-referential loop in reasoning or a system. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound, although relatively rare in usage. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts, denoting a formal or neutral register. When employing this phrase, it's essential to articulate the specific reasons for the circularity and its negative implications, preventing overuse without proper explanation. Alternatives include "a concerning feedback loop" or "a troubling self-reference". This phrase conveys a critical perspective on a situation or argument lacking resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concerning feedback loop

Replaces "circularity" with "feedback loop" to emphasize the looping nature, and "worrying" with "concerning" maintaining a similar level of concern.

a troubling self-reference

Focuses on the self-referential aspect of the circularity, highlighting the problematic nature with "troubling".

a disturbing cycle

Emphasizes the cyclical nature of the problem, using "disturbing" to convey a sense of unease.

a vexing recursive argument

Highlights the recursive nature of the argument, using "vexing" to indicate frustration and difficulty.

a problematic tautology

Identifies the circularity as a tautology, emphasizing the lack of new information or progress. "Problematic" maintains the sense of concern.

a self-defeating logic

Focuses on the self-defeating aspect of the circular reasoning, where the argument undermines itself.

a frustrating closed loop

Highlights the feeling of frustration associated with being stuck in a closed loop with no resolution.

a repetitive self-justification

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the justification, suggesting that it's merely reinforcing itself without external validation.

an anxious redundancy

Replaces "circularity" with "redundancy" to focus on the unnecessary repetition, and "worrying" with "anxious" maintaining a similar level of concern.

a recursive fallacy

Presents the circularity as a specific type of logical fallacy, making the reasoning invalid.

FAQs

How can I effectively illustrate "a worrying circularity" in an argument?

Provide specific examples of how the argument loops back on itself, restating the initial assumptions without offering new evidence or insights. Show how the conclusion depends on the premise in a way that doesn't advance understanding.

What are some alternative phrases to "a worrying circularity" that maintain a similar meaning?

Consider using phrases like "a concerning feedback loop", "a troubling self-reference", or "a disturbing cycle", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "a worrying circularity" always a negative characteristic?

Generally, yes. Circularity in reasoning often indicates a lack of progress or a flaw in logic. However, in some artistic or philosophical contexts, it can be used intentionally to create a sense of completion or inevitability.

What's the difference between "a worrying circularity" and a simple repetition?

"A worrying circularity" implies a logical flaw where the reasoning loops back on itself without adding new information, causing concern. Simple repetition is just restating something, which may be for emphasis or clarity, but it doesn't necessarily involve a logical problem.